THE SCHOOL WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1168, 1 July 1911, Page 16

THE SCHOOL WORLD.

A WEEKLY REVIEW.NOTES FROM TOWN AND COUNTRYTeachers and others interested in the administration of education are invited to contribute notes for publication in "Tho School World." These should bo addressed to tho Editor, "Tho School World," The Domixiov. Wellington, and posted to roach this office not later than Wednesday in each week. Correspondents desiring enlightenment upon any question in connection with tho school work, or tho general administration of tho education system, are invited to submit these points to tho Editor for elucidatijn and reply. Where anonymity is desired, it will be strictly observed. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Student."—(l) Tho teachers! "D" certificate is now the minimum qualification recognised by tho New Zealand Education Department, tho lower grade "E" having been abolished. (2) Should strongly advise you, in your circumstances, to avail yourself of tho exceptionally easy conditions under which it is now possible to qualify for the teachers' "C" certificate. The examination may be taken in convenient parts, and this privilege is being taken advantage of by a great and increasing number of teachers. A glance into tho future, beyond the end of om's nose, so to speak, suggests that in tirao tho "D" certificate, will not amount to very much in tho profession. Tho higher grade "C" will become quite a common qualification for appointment. "C.J."—Will reply nevt week. J. Cameron.—The matter is being investigated, ■ YOUNG NEW ZEALAND. SHOULD BE WEANED FROM OFFICE WORK. Referring to the subject of . "rural" courses instruction the Chief Inspector in liis monthly report to tho AVanganui Education Board says: "It is unfortunate that the.two northern schools have not loyally accepted the board's programme of work.' They gain nothing whatever by standing aloof, and they certainly lose much. Mr. Browne puts tho position .with • respect to secondary rural work so 'well that I quote one or two sentences from his report. 'I feel satisficd that .we can.wean the young people from their too evident longing for office work by showing them the great interest that may; be taken in crops, especially when lre'.teach them the joys of pruning and'the proper treatment of fruit trees, flowers and the soil. Country life has too long been a' dull round of mechanical work, ploughing and milking. Quite so, muscle, brain, and charactor may be misplaced, but they are never misplaced on the land.'" FOR GIRLS' CLASSES.

MEN OR WOMEN TEACHERS? Addressing the members of the women's branch of the Auckland District Educational Institute' last week, Miss Butler (head-mistress of tho Girls' Grammar School) made some interesting remarks concerning the training of senior girls in primary schools. "I am strongly of opinion,'' she said, "that those important years of a girl's school life should 1m spent entirely under the control of women teachers—such women as will place goodness before'scholarly attainment or worldly success.; The future national ideas depend upon the goodness of .'women of the nation. In future years it will matter ■ little if the pupils forget theexact position of London; it will matter infinitely whether her training has mado her true to the best, or left her slack, in dealing with tho crises of life. It seems to mo vital that a girl's school life should bo spent under womanly control. Under n male teacher girls undoubtedly presume on their sex. Physical culture should receive much attention under capable direction, and in fresh air. Mechanical teaching may turn out walking cncvolopaedias or successful scholarship candidates; hut tho teacher's highest prerogative .is to turn out characters which shall leave tho world tho belter for their existence." A CONDEMNED SCHOOL. STRONG FEELING AT PATEA. A deputation from the Patea School Committee interviewed the Minister for Education on Tuesday last, as ho passed through (writes a correspondent), re the building of a new school at Pat'ea to replace the present disgraceful structure. The present building has been in existence for at least 10 years, and is now fairly' rotten, and in a very unhealthy state. ' Tho Minister emphaticallv refused to replace the school, and stated" that tho boards were supplied with ample funds for rebuilding schools out. of maintenance grants; Ho stated that the grants wero made on a report submitted to the House of Representatives in 1893. Thero is much indignation here about the management of education matters by tho Government and tho board. Repeated attempts, covering a period of three years, have been made to get this antiquated structure replaced, but all efforts have so far been in vain, the board stating that they have no funds to do the work, and the Minister stating that they should have. ■ In tho meantime Uis school children are suffering hardships, and the parents arc gcting angry, so the board and Minister may be sure they have not heard tho last of the matter yet. The religious lessons system in Timaru schools is not running smoothly. In the Main School tho Secular Education League has been given a new grievance to work on, as it seems that a lady teacher strapped a girl for not attending Bible lessons. This was through a misunderstanding, and the parents accepted the teacher's explanation, but subsequently resented a passage in a letter hy tho headmaster and demand a full inquiry. The profits from tho recent fancy dress dance will enable tho Hamua School to purchase a good cricket set, two ■ moro tennis rackets, a new tennis net, and a croquet set. The croquet lawn was leveled off and sown down in the autumn, and is already looking green with the young grass. The School Committee is planting a hedge of macrocarpa along tho road fence. This should take, off the bareness of the grounds and provide shelter. The old tennis court has had tho boards taken up, and the boys during agriculture period aro levelling off tho ground in preparation for a tennis court, which will be sown in grass.

NEWS AND NOTES. . There were five applications for the position of junior mistress of tho New Plymouth High School, and the High School Board decided to offer tho appointment to Miss I'. E. Livingston, M.A., at present on the staff of the Levin District High School/ Tho Wanganui Education Board considers that "a foolish step has been taken by the IVlucation Department in reducing the capitation on country technical classes." _ The board decided to forward a resolution of protest to tho Minister, as such a step is inimical to tho interests of country technical education, and decidedly a step in the wrong direction. [Extreme pressure on our space this week has rendered it necessary to hold ovor several school notes till nest week]